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Question: What is the deal with the USA Rail Pass? How about the North America Rail Pass?

Answer: If you are an international traveler, a citizen or permanent resident of any country other than the United States or Canada, the USA Rail Pass is for you. In general, the USA Rail Pass permits travel throughout the U.S., or regions of the U.S., for a period of either 15 or 30 days, with unlimited stopovers. Each of the following passes is available for 15 or 30 days:

The National Rail Pass permits travel from coast to coast, anywhere Amtrak travels in the U.S.

The Coastal Rail Pass is for travel along the Pacific Coast.

The Northeast Rail Pass permits travelers to go from the Virginia Coast to Montreal and Niagara Falls.

The West Rail Pass covers the territory from Chicago to New Orleans and out west to the Pacific Coast.

The Far West Rail Pass is for travel from the Rocky Mountains out to the Pacific Coast.

The East Rail Pass permits travel among the various towns, cities and historic sites throughout the east coast, Florida, Chicago and New Orleans.

Prices differ depending on whether the travel is during a peak or off-peak period. You must present your USA Rail Pass and passport at an Amtrak office for issuance of your tickets. All passes are for regular coach class travel on all routes except for the Auto Train, Acela Express and the Metroliner. However, a Northeast pass, allowing travel on the weekend Acela Express and the Metroliner, is available at an additional cost. Children travel at half fare.

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada, the North America Rail Pass is for you. This pass permits 30 days of unlimited travel throughout the U.S. and Canada, on both Amtrak and VIA Rail, with unlimited stopovers.

If you intend to use either of these passes for Amtrak travel during the summer, I strongly recommend that you make advance reservations.

For details and further information, go to www.amtrak.com/savings/.